CIBN to equip Abuja HQ with ICT facilities, incubation hub
…As Osinbajo Commissions Bankers House in Abuja
By Matthew Denis Abuja
In a bid to enhance smooth Financial activities in the country, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has concluded plans to equipped the newly Bankers House with state-of-the-art ICT facilities, Learning/Incubation hub, a banking hall, multi- purpose hall and a training facility among others.
This is coming as the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo Commissioned CIBN headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The Vice President while Commissioning the Bankers House tasked stakeholders on collaboration in pertnership with the Federal Government to ensure robust Economy in the country.
He said “we simply must encourage value addition in every sector of our Economy. We have some of the greatest traders and entrepreneurs in the world such that we can become a global trading hub.
The President of CIBN, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi while addressing the occasion said “This new edifice will house The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Abuja Office and The Permanent Secretariat of the Alliance of African Institute of Bankers (AAIOB), a Body which has been in existence for about Twenty-five years, developing and promoting acceptable banking and finance education, examinations and certification standards among its members on the African Continent.
“The building which will be equipped with state-of-the-art ICT facilities will feature a Learning/Incubation hub, a banking hall, multi purpose hall and a training facility sponsored by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) which will be available for use by various organisations for the training of their staff.
According to him spaces are available for branding and I want to call on the banks and other corporate bodies to pick up available spaces to project their brands.
He stated that this new edifice being commissioned today, represents a captivating story of utmost significance, in that the attainment of this feat, is a fulfillment of a dream long conceived.
He said, “When the seat of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in 1991, the Institute became desirous of establishing its presence at the FCT. Since then, several attempts were made at acquiring land or landed properties in the FCT but the efforts were frustrated by disputes on the various properties especially those statutorily allocated to the Institute by government.
“Not discouraged by these challenges, the Institute doggedly forged ahead in its quest for a presence in the FCT. The result of the various initiatives that were engaged is what culminated in the purchase and development of the edifice we are commissioning this morning.”
Dr. Olugbemi emphasised that the Institute as the consceience of the Industry has continued to foster the observance of ethics and professionalism among practitioners in the banking industry.
He said “We will not leave any stone unturned towards ensuring that all banks and bankers imbibe and abide by the expected ethical standards of the profession. The protection of Consumers of Banking Products and Services is very important to us, this we promise to keep in focus continually.
“We have worked very closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee on the implementation of the Competency Framework, ensuring that fit and proper persons occupy various positions in the banking industry.
“The Institute also recently launched a new syllabus for the training of professional bankers. This new syllabus is fortified and enriched with contents that are contemporary and that addresses emerging issues in the world of banking and finance and has been adjudged by stakeholders within and outside the country as robust, revolutionary, rich in content, fit for purpose and in line with best global standards.
On the Global space, he noted that the Institute is taking fontline position in advancing and developing the banking and finance profession with its role in the Global Banking Education Standards Board (GBEStB) where a Past President of the Institute, Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, FCIB, is the pioneer and current Chairman of the global body.
“On the Continental front, Nigeria is the Permanent Secretariat of the AAIOB and our Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr. ‘Seye Awojobi’, FCIB, is the current Chairman of the Alliance.
“Bearing in mind that the future belongs to the young generation, the Institute has embarked on a Mentoring scheme to help young professionals get career mentorship from more senior and experienced professionals towards ensuring the safety, soundness, and sustainability of the banking industry in Nigeria and beyond.
“The Institute also, as part of its commitment to improving the teaching and learning of banking and finance in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has instituted learning legacy projects in six higher Institutions in Nigeria, one per geo-political zone. The construction of the lecture theatres code named Bankers Hall is near completion in Ibadan, Owerri and Bauchi, while work will commence in Kano, Nasarawa and Port Harcourt shortly.
Dignitaries that attended the event includes the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bello, Honourable Minister of FCT, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and the MD/CEO Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Bello Hassan among others.
